Dhaka:State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir announced that discussions between Bangladesh and Japan on the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) were conducted solely within the context of their bilateral economic partnership, explicitly excluding any involvement of third countries. This statement followed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Japan, where no references to third countries were made in the joint statement issued.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral economic relations, with State Minister Kobir emphasizing that the talks with Japan were intended to address economic ties specifically between the two nations. He responded to inquiries about the potential expansion of BIG-B into a regional industrial supply chain involving neighboring countries by asserting that such discussions would require the participation of representatives from those countries.
During a media briefing, Kobir clarified that Prime Minister Rahman's visit to an LNG terminal in Japan was for observational purposes, as Bangladesh considers establishing its own terminal. The visit aimed to gain insights into the design, development, and operation of such facilities.
Kobir also mentioned that Japan would soon send an economic mission to Bangladesh following joint ministerial meetings. He addressed the Rohingya issue, reiterating Bangladesh's commitment to raising the matter on international platforms as a significant national security concern.
The State Minister highlighted the evolving Bangladesh-Japan partnership, which now emphasizes strategic cooperation under the "BIG-B for Shared Prosperity" initiative, focusing on connectivity, disaster preparedness, public-private partnerships, and regional peace and stability.
Furthermore, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi congratulated Prime Minister Rahman for assuming office and expressed Japan's support for Bangladesh's independent decision-making under the updated "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" vision. The two leaders agreed to enhance the Bay of Bengal region's prosperity, with Japan planning substantial private investment in Bangladesh over the next five years.
The leaders committed to expediting the Japan-Bangladesh Economic Partnership Agreement and promoting cooperation in various sectors, including trade, environment, and security. Japan also announced the provision of a patrol vessel to Bangladesh to bolster maritime security, underscoring the ongoing defense cooperation between the two nations.